Paths to Integrated Energy Systems

The Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform addresses the fundamental challenges of energy systems integration.

Globe-like image made up of interconnected lines of illuminated dots.

"How can we integrate new energy resources and technologies while maintaining reliability and affordability?" This question resounds for systems large and small, simple and complex. It's new terrain for everyone, but many companies, communities, and energy leaders are now finding their footing with ARIES.

ARIES can answer energy questions for communities, companies, and energy leaders, from 'I don't know where to start or what steps to take,' to 'Costs and risks are so high, I need to know what's going to happen.' ARIES can find potential issues and solutions before anything is put on the grid. We have the ability to pull in analysis, modeling, experimental work, visualization, and advanced computing to look at a wide range of potential scenarios."

Jen Kurtz, ARIES research director

ARIES addresses these challenges of integrated energy systems at scale:

  • Managing variability in the physical size of new energy technologies
  • Securely controlling large numbers (millions to tens of millions) of interconnected devices
  • Integrating multiple technologies that have not previously worked together.

ARIES can help:

  • Validate the best path to achieve energy goals
  • Pinpoint weaknesses and solutions for systemwide resilience
  • Derisk new technologies
  • Ensure cybersecurity by design
  • Accelerate the real-world application of innovative energy technologies.

Communities

NREL and other national laboratories support communities in confidently implementing innovative energy solutions and accessing the breakthrough science they need to achieve their energy goals.

Find out more about the communities already using ARIES to help answer their energy systems integration questions.

Industry

With ARIES, companies can accelerate the evaluation, troubleshooting, and application of new energy technologies. The ARIES platform is highly flexible, with the ability to “plug and play” technologies in a holistic, integrated energy system at a size and scale that matter.

Find out more about how industry is using ARIES to help accelerate and derisk innovative energy technologies.

Governments and Utilities

ARIES serves as a research platform for new power distribution system designs, helping governments and utilities around the world implement advanced energy, storage, and smart grid technologies for remote and islanded communities.

Find out more about how governments and utilities are using ARIES to develop and evaluate new technologies.

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Last Updated June 24, 2025